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QF Focus Magazine “Get on yer Bike.”


Monthly cycling tips / advice and routes by Gary and Lynn, “Cyclogical” Quesada. La Marmotte


The Marmotte is one of the toughest cycling Sportives in the world and is an event that should be on every serious cyclists bucket list.


The event is limited to 7500 riders and is sold out within 24 hours, with the vast majority (88%) of riders coming from outside of France. On Saturday July 2nd five of the lads lined up to tackle this challenge: Alan Quearns, Tony Nolan, Owen Desmond, Torry Haugsdal and Noel O’Mahoney.


It is a gruelling 174km with 5100 metres of climbing over 4 of the most iconic mountains used in the Tour de France. First up is the Col du Glandon a long but consistent climb of 20km with an average gradient of 5.5%, ramps of 10% and tops out at 1924 metres above sea level. Next up is the Col du Telegraph which is 11.8km in length at an average gradient of 7.3% at a height of 1570 metres. After a very short


downhill this leads to the longest and highest climb of the day, the Col du Galibier at 2645 metres. This climb is 35km in length with an average gradient of 5.5% but ramps of up to 12%. Then to cap it all off after 161km of cycling the riders face Alpe d’Huez, probably the most famous climb in the history of the Tour de France. This beast is 13.2km long with an average gradient of 8.1% and ramps of up to 13% and finishes at a height of 1815 metres. This mountain is famous for its 21 hairpin bends, which have plaques counting them down to the top and also have the names of previous winners of the Tour de France.


This was a truly memorable event, well managed and marshalled by the organisers. The feeling of completing this challenge is unbelievable.


All of the guys agreed this was their most challenging event they had ever undertaken and all apart from Noel said they would NEVER do it again!


Of the 7500 starters only 6687 were given an official time by the organisers.


What a fantastic achievement for all of the guys who finished the event safe and sound. The guys times for the event were: Alan Quearns - 7 hrs 57 mins 3 s - Torry Haugsdal - 8 hrs 30 mins 8 s - Tony Nolan - 8 hrs 34 mins 49 s - Noel O’Mahoney - 8 hrs 54 mins 28 s - Owen Desmond - 9 hrs 11 mins 13 s.


Gary and Lynn are available at Cyclogical in Quesada Monday to Friday 09.30-17.30 and Saturdays from 10.00-14.00 to assist and advise you on all your cycling requirements.


Answers to Sudoku & Spot the Difference


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